Trump and Harris gearing up for crucial presidential debate: Live updates

Ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie has offered some pearls of wisdom to Kamala Harris ahead of her debate with Trump tonight.

Christie helped the former president prepare for debates in both 2016 and 2020 before their relationship broke down into open hostility and bitter personal insults.

This weekend, the Republican advised Harris to use Trump’s reported complacent lack of preparation to her advantage.

He also said that she would need to “charm” the American people.

“She needs to show that she’s not gonna be the 24-hour leaf blower noise that he is,” Christie told ABC on Sunday.

“There is a way that you can be kind, that you can be smart, and tough at the same time – that’s the charm.”

Madeline Sherratt has more.

Donald Trump’s backers hope today’s debate will reset the campaign narrative and end the “honeymoon” that Kamala Harris has enjoyed since she ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket.

Here’s more from Alex Lang.

The rules being followed tonight are largely standard for American presidential debates, although the originally agreed regulations could theoretically put Kamala Harris at a slight disadvantage, given that she has a different skill set from that of Joe Biden, on whose behalf they were originally settled.

Here’s Ariana Baio’s report on the rules for today’s debate and who stands to benefit.

Tonight’s showdown will, of course, be broadcast live on ABC but also simulcast on a number of other US networks, including C-Span, PBS, MSNBC and Fox News, and streamed online via ABC’s website and YouTube channel and via Disney+ and Hulu.

If you’re interested in staying up to see it in Britain, Channel 4 has you covered – although obviously you should follow along with our coverage right here for all the best commentary and latest developments.

The Trump v Harris debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at 9pm ET, which is 8pm CT and 6pm PT.

That’s 2am in the UK so get comfortable.

Tonight’s showdown will be refereed by ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.

They have said they will not share the questions or topics up for discussion with the candidates in advance of Tuesday’s broadcast.

The Republican presidential nominee will seek to associate his Democratic rival with the perceived policy failings of Joe Biden’s administration, hoping to blame her for illegal immigration at America’s southern border and for the high cost of living as the US economy continues its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

For her part, Vice President Harris, a veteran prosecutor and former California attorney general, will hope to draw attention to Trump’s disastrous record in office, culpability for inspiring the Capitol riot of January 6 2021 and long history of lawlessness, dishonesty and dysfunction.

After much toing and froing, the two candidates have agreed to the same set of rules for tonight’s encounter on ABC News that Trump and President Biden used during the first debate back on June 27, which ultimately spelled the end for the commander-in-chief’s pursuit of a second term.

That means muted microphones, no pre-written notes, no live audience, no sitting and no speaking with campaign staff during commercial breaks.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of all the build-up to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’s first (and perhaps only) presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, which promises to be a defining moment in the race for the White House.